League Descriptions
Bolton Youth Baseball is organized into 5 separate divisions which offer baseball opportunities for kids ages 5-12, including chartered Cal Ripken Baseball play for ages 9-12. In addition Bolton Youth Baseball offers Junior League(13U) and Senior League(15U) Baseball programs for all players between the ages of 13 and 15 years and a Girls Fast-Pitch Softball program for all players in grades 3 and 4 (10U Minors), 5 and 6 (12U Majors), and 7 ,8, and 9 (15U Senior Softball).
Since our opening season of 2000, Bolton Youth Baseball has provided an opportunity for over 2000 children to play baseball in the town of Bolton. Bolton Youth Baseball is committed to providing a fun, safe and challenging baseball experience for any boy or girls who want to play baseball and softball.
The Bolton Senior/Junior League Baseball program was formed in 2006. The first season offered a single Junior (13-year old only) League Baseball team. In 2008 Bolton joined the Minuteman League in the Minuteman division for 13 to 15-year old players and expanded to two teams.
The Bolton softball division was formed in 2005 offering a single 12U girl's only softball team. In 2006 the softball division was expanded to include a 10U Minors team in addition to the 12U Majors team. In 2008 Bolton expand to four teams and joined the Cortland League. In 2010 Bolton expand to add a 15U division for girls in 7th, 8th and 9th grade. Descriptions of our Youth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball, Junior/Senior League Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball programs can be found on the following pages in order to help you decide what playing opportunity is right for your child.
T-Ball
Ballplayers ages 5-6 learn hitting and fielding fundamentals in a supportive team environment. Young athletes hit the ball from a batting tee which is height-adjusted for a level swing, batting in order through the line-up for the entire game. The primary goal is to begin to instruct young players in the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive team environment.
Ages: typically 5 to 6 year
Tryout - No
Rookie 1 (Formerly Coach-Pitch) Baseball
Rookie 1 baseball is designed for players slightly older and more skilled than T-Ball. Players will continue to work on the fundamentals of throwing, fielding, and hitting while learning a team concept. Adults pitch to the players using RIF (Reduced Injury Factor) baseballs. During the game, coaches are permitted on the field to pitch to their own players and to reinforce defensive positions in the field. Teams will likely play in-town as well as an away game each week. Games are four innings and played one to two times per week with practices also.
Ages: typically 6 to 7 years
Tryout - No
Rookie 2 (Formerly Machine-Pitch) Baseball
Rookie 2 baseball is designed for players who have played Rookie 1 (coach-pitch) in a previous season. Players will continue to work on the fundamentals of throwing, fielding, and hitting while learning a team concept. The four inning games are some combination of machine pitching and kid pitching. Teams likely play in town and also travel to for an away game each week. Games are typically played one to two times per week with practices also.
Ages: typically 7 to 8 years
Tryout - No
Recommended for ballplayers ages 8-10. Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. In most regions, participants first experience post-season tournament competition in this level, leading to the 10 Year-Old World Series. Teams will play in town as well as an away game in a nearby town each week Games are typically 4-6 innings and played two times per week with practices additional. Additional practices and/or make-up games are occasionally scheduled, but make-up games are not required. Hardballs are used.
Note: A higher level of commitment is expected at the Rookie level.
Ages: typically 9 and 10 (as of yearly League Age of 4/30).
Tryout - Yes
Major League 60 Baseball
Major League baseball is for higher skill level players and is more competitive than Minor League with standings and playoffs. Features a 46' pitching distance and 60' base paths. Special base running rules are also in effect. This division includes a tournament trail from District competition through the World Series. Games are six innings and played two to three times per week with practices also. Additional practices and/or make-up games should be expected. Hardballs are used.
Ages: typically 9 to 12 years old
Tryout - Yes
Major League 70 Baseball
Major League baseball is for highest skill level players and is more competitive than Majors 60 with standings and playoffs. Featuring a 50' pitching distance and 70' base paths, this division is offered as an option to the major division format, and includes a tournament trail from District competition through the World Series in Aberdeen, Maryland at the Ripken Baseball Complex featuring 8 International Champions. Games are six innings and played two to three times per week with practices also. Additional practices and/or make-up games should be expected. Hardballs are used.
Ages: typically 11 to 12 years old
Tryout - Yes
Bolton Girls' Softball ProgramBolton Youth Baseball offers a Girls Softball program for all players in grades 1 through 6. Bolton Softball plays against area towns in the Cortland League.Due to the limited number of available slots and safety related concerns as a result of the elevated levels of play, BYBS reserves the right to hold try-outs and make custom determine the roster for the up-coming season.
Program History: The Bolton softball division was formed in 2005 offering a single 12U girl's only softball team.In 2006 the softball division was expanded to include a 10U Minors team in addition to the 12U Majors team. In 2008 Bolton expand to four teams and joined theCortland League.In 2010 Bolton expand and added the 15U senior division for girls in 7th, 8th and 9th grade and this team plays in the Empire league.In 2012 Bolton expand and added the 8U coach-pitch division for girls in 1st and 2nd grade playing against a neighboring league(Assabet Valley Little League) in the towns of Stow and Maynard.
Cortland League History: The Cortland League.which was founded in 2006 and now includes programs from Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Groton/Dunstable, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley. The Cortland League consist of two divisions of recreational softball players. The 10U Minor Division includes 3rd and 4th grade girls. The 12U Major Division includes 5th and 6th grade girls.
Empire League History: TheEmpireLeague became offical in 2010 but was in existance several years prior and now includes programs from Acton/Boxboro, Ayer, Bolton, Groton/Dunstable, Littleton and Tyngsboro. The league has one competitive division of 15U teams comprised of 7th, 8th and 9th grade girls.
8U Minors Division Softball
The Minor League division is an entry level organized instructional softball. Games are played against the neighboring towns of Stow and Maynard. Coaches pitch in this league and are allowed on the field to interact. Games are four-six innings limited by time and played once or twice per week with one weekend practice. Additional practices and/or make-up games are occasionally required.
Grade:Current school year 1st & 2nd grade
Tryout:No
Travel:Limited - Only to Stow/Maynard
10U Minors Division Softball
The Minor League division is a more advanced organized league yet still entry level. Games are played against the neighboring towns in the Cortland League. Players pitch in this league and coaches have some limited on field interaction. Games are six innings and played once per week with one weekend practice. Additional practices and/or make-up games are occasionally required. Safe/Soft Softballs are used.
Grade:Current school year 3rd &4th grade girls
Tryout:No
Travel:Yes
12U Majors Division Softball
The Major League division is for higher skill level players and is more competitive than the Minor League. Games are played against the neighboring towns in the Cortland League.Players pitch in this league and coaches have no on field interaction. Games are six innings and played one or two times per week with weekend practices. Additional practices and/or make-up games should be expected.Hardballs are used.
Grade:Current school year 5th & 6th grade girls
Tryout:No (only if necessary by numbers)
Travel:Yes
15U Senior Division Softball
The Senior League division is for higher skill level players and is more competitive than the Major League. Games are played against the neighboring towns in the Empire League. Games are six innings and played two or more times per week with weekend practices. Additional practices and/or make-up games should be expected.
Grade:Current school year 7th, 8th and 9th grade girls born on/after Jan 1 of 1998
Tryout:No(only if necessary by numbers)
Travel:Yes